International Workshop on Policy-relevant Applications of Infectious Disease Models in Asia

Date: 15 December 2015 (Tuesday)

Venue: Ito International Research Center, The University of Tokyo

http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ext01/iirc/en/

Introduction

We are pleased to announce the first International Meeting on Policy-relevant Applications of Infectious Disease Models in Asia to be held at Ito International Research Center, The University of Tokyo on 15 December 2015 (Tuesday). Given recent advancement in the application of infectious disease modeling techniques to the analysis of empirical epidemic data and expansions of models to be employed for policy-relavant decision making, the first meeting will bring together lead experts of epidemic modeling, disease surveillance and public health policy in Asia to present the latest issues of mathematical modeling of infectious diseases, especially in China, Korea and Japan and share experience in practicalizing the use of epidemic models in respective countries.

The meeting aims to go beyond ordinary scientific meeting that only presents modeling study results to explore smooth integration of epidemic modeling results with policy-relevant issues of infectious diseases in each country setting. We expect the meeting to be an opportunity for experts who share common interests to interact from each other and figure out the future path of these countries to usefully apply mathematical models to public health problems and achieve fully objective policy making. We also discuss the ideal career path for infectious modelers in China, Korea and Japan to attract young experts.

Questions to be addressed

- Current situation of modeling studies in each country setting with a particular focus on policy-relevant studies

- Career path of students who aim to become a master of practical epidemic modeling.

- Specific effort to integrate mathematical models with policymaking in each country setting

- How should we fill the gap between modeling and epidemiology or between modeling and policy

- Possible improvement in the training program for policy-relevant modeling studies